Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3792, James French, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
French, James
R. 3792
CONTENTS

Brooklyn James French Staten Is New York
all
Rejo
D. Crouger
Bath
Crouger & Campbell Bath Staten Is New York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
June 4 th
1832
Rep 3792
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of James French. Steubenville, Ohio
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Aug 1776 " 1 " Priv Col. Freelinghuy ser. J. H. Col. Tingley 89 years Somerset Traditionary.   Decm 1777 " 1 " Drum mer. Same Officers 60   Fall " " 1 " Priv Col. Beckwith N. Jersey.   Apr. 1778 " 1 " " Same Officer.   June 1778 1779 " 1 " " Col. Beckwith   Defeat Trenton " 1 " " Not stated.  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____, who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Joseph Rowan

In Matter of James French Pension Application
Declaration
21, 1809
I do hereby certify that the within papers passed through the hand of the clerk of the Court of St. Asaph in the same manner in which they now are Daniel Owen former member of Council

State of New York Steuben County ss. On this 27 th day of November in the year 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Circuit Court now sitting at the Court House in Bath in and for the County of Steuben, held by Robert Monell Esq. one of the Circuit Judges, James French aged eighty-nine years, who being duly sworn first accord- ing to law, doth on his oath make the following de- claration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Con- gress passed June 7 th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated
That he first entered the service of the United States at a place then called Coon's Corners, now called the town of Warren, in Somerset County in the State of New Jersey, in the month of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred seven hundred and seventy six, under Capt. Ebenezer Gingley, in the Militia service as a private  drummer . Don't remember the names of the other officers in a Regiment Commanded by Col. Freeling Huyssen, and marched to Pavles Hook, and 1 month was there when the British entered New York, per- formed one month's service, and was discharged as he thinks at a place called Communipaw, in the said State of New Jersey. That he again entered the service, in the Militia as a drummer at Coon's Corners, in Somerset County aforesaid under the above named officers, for one month in the summer of 1778, marched to New York Newark, and there performed a monthly service 1 month and was there discharged. Don't remember the names of any officers stationed there.
That soon after the performance of the last mentioned service, he removed to Hardiston in the County of Sussex in the State aforesaid

and that in the fall of that year 1777, he again the service at Hardiston aforesaid, as a private in the Militia for one month under Capt Beck- with, but does not remember the names of any other officers of the Company; Mar- ched to Minisink in the , kept garrison there and performed one months service and was dis- 1 month discharged at that place after having performed a months service. That in the Spring of 1778, he performed another months service under the same officer; entered the service at Hardiston aforesaid, marched to Newark aforesaid and performed the months service as Garrison 1 month duty and was there discharged. That, another period subsequent to the above, but whether in 1778 or 1779 he cannot recollect, he was again ordered into the service as a militia man for one month while residing at Hardiston aforesaid, and the Captain Beckwith, to whose Company he belonged, told him agreed with him that if he would go with his team and carry the baggage to Elizabethtown he would ac- cept it in the lieu of the one months militia service; that he did go with his team and carried the baggage of Capt Beckwiths Com- pany to Elizabethtown which was ac- cepted in lieu of a months service, and 1 month he was there discharged by Capt Beckwith  That besides the above monthly services as a Craftsman, he was frequently called out on alarms when the militia were called out on emergencies, during the Revolutionary war, but he cannot specify the times nor length of service in account of the great lapse of time and the 1 month extreme old age of the applicant, but feels confident that he served on these alarms more than a month.  1st I was born

And the applicant further saith that he never received a written discharge. That he has no documentary evidence to establish said services or in relation thereto, and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services.
1 st That He was I was born at Goo's Corners in the County of Somerset in the State of New Jersey, in the year 1743.
2 nd I have a record of my age, but in a Bible now in the possession of one of my friends sons.
3 rd I was living when called into service at the at Goo's Corners and at Hardiston in the State of New Jersey.
4 th Was called into service as a Chapman in the Militia and as a Militia man on alarm.
5 th  Does Don't remember the names of any regular officers or other officers except as already stated.
6 th nor any other facts or circumstances than those already stated.
7 th Lived at Goo's Corners & Hardiston during the war never received a written discharge - since the war ended at Penn Yan and at Bath.
8 th The following named persons viz. Lewis French and John French are my neighbors, and can testify to my character for veracity and their belief of my services as a soldier of the revolution.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to and Subscribed John French the day and year aforesaid
No. 1 Brimley Dep. CLK November 16 th

We John French & Lewis French - - - - - residing in the town of Bath in the County of Steuben, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James French who has sub- scribed and sworn to the above declaration: that we believe him to be 89 years of age; and that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we con- cur in that opinion John French Lewis French day and year aforesaid
W. S. Ross Secretary of the Steuben County Court And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter; and after putting the interroga- tories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolution- ary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that John French & Lewis French - who signed the preceding certificate are re- sidents of the town of Bath in the County of Steuben are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit
Robt. M'Call Circuit Judge Geo. L. Belknap

I David Runnells Clerk of said Circuit Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of James French for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this thirtieth day of November in the year of our Lord the thousand eight hundred thirty two and the fifty sixth year of American Independence.
D. Runnells

In the matter re of James French dec d for an increase of Pension -
act of 7 th June 1832
Power of Atty to G. F. Yates 15 th Feby 1853
5792

State of New York County of Steuben
Be it known, That on this twelfth fifteenth day of February A. D. 1853 before me, the undersigned a Justice of the peace in and for the county and state aforesaid, personally appeared John French as resident of the town of Bath in said county, and made oath according to law that he is a son of James French late of the said town of Bath now deceased who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, - and who has heretofore made application for the benefit of the Pension Act of 7 th of June 1832
That he is directly interested as a claimant in said pension, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my agent may use in presenting said claim,
Countermanding and revoking all powers of Attorney and authority heretofore given, I hereby constitute and appoint Giles F. Yates of the city of Schenectady & state of New York my true and lawful attorney to prosecute the claim of the heirs of James French deceased for any amount of Revolutionary pensions, or increase of pensions that may be due; And I hereby authorize my said attorney to examine all papers

or documents in relation to said claim, or file in the Department at Washington City or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or argument, and to receive for my exclusive benefit, the certificate which may be issued for said claim, which certificate I wish made payable at the Washington City, D. C. Agency, to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed, and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said attorney and Agent shall lawfully do in the premises. Sworn to subscribed and
John T French
Sworn to subscribed and acknowledged before me the day and year above written, and I hereby certify that I believe the said John T French to be directly interested in said claim as set forth, and to be the identical party therein alleged.
H. L. Read Justice of the Peace
State of New York } County of Steuben }
It is hereby, that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me, Clerk of the County Court of said county that John T French the party

who has sworn, and acknowledged the foregoing declaration and power of Attorney, is the a son of the reputed soldier aforesaid, I further certify, that Arnold D Read Esq. before whom the preceding affidavit and Power of Attorney were made and acknowledged, was, at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, and that the sig- nature purporting to be his, I believe to be genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office, this fifteenth day of February 1853
J. P. Hubbell Clerk

Rev. New York James French
Rejected act 7 p 32 letter 19 Feb 1833
D. Cuyler
letter 19 March 34 to D. Cuyler

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
3792 P. O. James French Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
REJECTED
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: _____ _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18 .